Hillsborough County, FL, officials have told neighboring
Osceola County to "back off" in their attempt to woo the Bucs, or
else face a $500M lawsuit. The threat follows Osceola's offer
Wednesday of a $150M new stadium for the team. Hillsborough
County Commission Chair Jim Norman: "The offer constitutes
tampering and tortious interference [with Tampa's contract with
the team]. If they want the Bucs, they might as well tack on
another $500M to the cost." The Bucs' lease at Tampa Stadium
runs until June 20, 2000 (Joe Henderson, TAMPA TRIBUNE, 2/16).

A poll conducted over the weekend on the S.F. Giants'
proposal to build a privately financed ballpark in the city's
China Basin area showed that while the referendum would pass by a
2-to-1 if a vote were held today, "voters still have doubts about
whether parking and traffic problems near the ballpark would be
manageable." While the yes vote on the stadium led 54-26% among
the 600 registered voters surveyed by the S.F. CHRONICLE and
KRON-TV from February 10-13, only 35% believed the Giants'
promise that money for the $255M project would not come out of
taxpayers pockets. On that question, 51% did not believe the
team. Meanwhile, 47% had concerns about traffic and its effect
on property values (Edward Epstein, S.F. CHRONICLE, 2/16).
Meanwhile, the Rincon Point-South Beach Citizens Advisory
Committee, a potential opponent of the project, gave a "neutral"
vote on the matter -- considered "very positive" by Giants Exec
VP Larry Baer (Eric Brazil, S.F. EXAMINER, 2/15).
TRAFFIC REPORT: The CHRONICLE obtained a draft of a report
being prepared by the S.F. County Transportation Authority, which
offers suggestions to alleviate the anticipated "major
congestion" around the ballpark area. The study focuses
predominantly on increased funding for public transportation and
the construction of additional parking structures (Edward
Epstein, S.F. CHRONICLE, 2/16).
3COM STAYS: 3Com Corp's bid to keep its name on the former
Candlestick Park "gained ground" as a revised agreement between
the city and the 49ers was approved by the city's Recreation and
Park Commission. Under the deal, the 49ers will pay $3.9M over
four years to the city for the right to designate the stadium
"3Com Park at Candlestick Point." 3Com, in turn, will pay the
team $3.5M for naming rights (Hal Kahn, SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS,
2/16).

Plans to reconstruct the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum are
"moving ahead quickly," as the Coliseum Board announced three
construction/architecture firms will compete for the project to
rebuild the Warriors' home. Contractor Huber, Hunt &
Nichols/Swinerton-Walberg teamed with architect Ellerbe Beckett;
PCL Construction Services joined with Architect Nadmore, Bain,
Bradley & Johansen; and Tutor-Saliba Corp. joined with Howard,
Needles, Tammen & Bergendoff. All will present design and
construction proposals based on a set cost. The two groups not
selected for the project will receive an honorarium of $100,000
each; the winner gets $100M worth of work. A lease agreement
between the arena and Warriors is expected to be completed by
late next week (Robert Salladay, OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 2/15).

The WASHINGTON TIMES reviews the "rallying" efforts of MD
Gov. Parris Glendening over the past two weeks to build public
support for new Baltimore franchise and Redskins stadiums.
Despite state polls showing opposition to the projects, John
Mercurio reports there is "definitely a mood swing" and a "new
enthusiasm" for the proposals in the MD Legislature (WASHINGTON
TIMES, 2/16)....A group which opposes the two deals has gathered
under the label, Citizens for Legitimate Investment Priorities
(WASHINGTON TIMES, 2/16)....Prince George's County officials have
introduced a measure to create a $37M sports complex and park to
be located next to the proposed Redskins stadium. Owner Jack
Kent Cooke has offered to contribute $3M toward the project
(Terry Neal, WASHINGTON POST, 2/16).

Stafford County, VA, a rural community 40 miles south of
Washington, DC and 55 miles north of Richmond, has entered the
hunt to become the site of a Northern VA MLB franchise. The
Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority confirmed that Stafford
economic officials will "pitch a 250-acre site adjacent to I-95"
to telecom mogul William Collins, the leader of the group thought
most likely to bring a team to the area. According to Authority
member Michael Frey, the land could be donated by the county.
Stafford joins Fairfax, Loudon and Arlington Counties as possible
sites (WASHINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL, 2/16 issue).

In an "escalation of antagonism" over the Bears' stadium, a
bill offered by state Sen. Doris Karpiel would strip Chicago
Mayor Richard Daley of his control over the Metropolitan Pier and
Exposition Authority, the city-state agency which oversees
McCormick Place, the site of IL Gov. Jim Edgar's "McDome"
proposal (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/16)....The $55M state bond issue to
help bring the Oilers to Nashville is expected to receive final
approval in the TN Legislature within the next two weeks. The
bond would allow the city Metro Council to use the state's
borrowing power to help build a 65,000-seat stadium (Nashville
TENNESSEAN, 2/14).... The Rockies have reached an agreement in
principle with Tucson on a 15-year lease at Hi Corbett Field for
spring training facilities. The deal depends on construction by
'98 of a new stadium and a third MLB club joining the Rockies and
Diamondbacks in Tucson (ARIZONA DAILY STAR, 2/16)....The Wayne
County, MI Board of Commissioners endorsed a new Tiger Stadium
Thursday, saying construction of new ballpark would "increase the
fiscal health of the entire region." A voter referendum on
whether to build a new facility will be held on March 19 (DETROIT
NEWS, 2/16).